Towing system

ABSTRACT

Example aspects of a towing system, a towed vehicle assembly, and a method of towing a towed vehicle are disclosed. The towing system can comprise a front lifting mechanism comprising a mounting bracket, a trailer tongue, and a lift connector coupling the trailer tongue to the mounting bracket, the lift connector movable relative to the mounting bracket between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, the trailer tongue configured to connect a towed vehicle to a driven vehicle; and a rear lifting mechanism comprising a rear lift frame, a rear axle coupled to the rear lift frame, and a rear tow wheel rotatably coupled to the rear axle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to towing systems. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a towing system having front and rear liftingmechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Towing devices are used to tow vehicles or other objects from onelocation to another. Often, trailers are used for towing vehicles.Typically, a trailer comprises a mount for supporting the vehicle to betowed above a ground surface and one or more wheels configured to rollalong the ground surface. However, trailers are typically quitecumbersome in both weight and size. Front lifting mechanisms can also beused for driven vehicles. Front lifting mechanisms may weigh less and besmaller than trailers; however, front lifting mechanisms only elevatethe front wheels of the vehicle off the ground surface. The rear wheelsof the vehicle remain in contact with the ground surface, and thusexperience wear and tear as the vehicle is towed. Still other towingdevices do not elevate any of the vehicle's wheels above the groundsurface, and thus all of the wheels can experience wear and tear duringtowing.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is towing system comprising a front lifting mechanismcomprising a mounting bracket, a trailer tongue, and a lift connectorcoupling the trailer tongue to the mounting bracket, the lift connectormovable relative to the mounting bracket between a raised orientationand a lowered orientation, the trailer tongue configured to connect atowed vehicle to a driven vehicle; and a rear lifting mechanismcomprising a rear lift frame, a rear axle coupled to the rear liftframe, and a rear tow wheel rotatably coupled to the rear axle.

Also disclosed is a towed vehicle assembly comprising a towed vehicledefining a front end and a rear end, the towed vehicle comprising avehicle wheel; and a towing system comprising: a front lifting mechanismcoupled to the front end of the towed vehicle, wherein the front liftingmechanism elevates the front end relative to a ground surface in anoperable configuration; and a rear lifting mechanism coupled to the rearend of the towed vehicle, wherein the rear lifting mechanism elevatesthe rear end relative to the ground surface in an operableconfiguration; wherein the towed vehicle assembly is configurable in anpre-tow mode, wherein the vehicle wheel engages the ground surface, anda towable mode wherein each of the front lifting mechanism and rearlifting mechanism are in the operable configuration and the towingsystem elevates the vehicle wheel above the ground surface.

Also disclosed is a method of towing a towed vehicle, the methodcomprising providing a towed vehicle to be towed, the towed vehiclecomprising a front end, a rear end, and a vehicle wheel; securing afront lifting mechanism to the front end of a towed vehicle and to adriven vehicle; securing a rear lifting mechanism to the rear end of thetowed vehicle, the rear lifting mechanism comprising a rear tow wheel;configuring each of the front lifting mechanism and rear liftingmechanism in an operable configuration to elevate the vehicle wheel ofthe towed vehicle above a ground surface; and driving the driven vehicleto tow the towed vehicle across the ground surface, wherein the rear towwheel rolls along the ground surface as the towed vehicle is towed.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a towing system mounted to a towed vehicle, inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the towingsystem comprising a front lifting mechanism and a rear liftingmechanism, each of which are shown in a storage configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the front lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 , wherein a lift connector of the front lifting mechanism is in araised position.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the front lifting mechanism of FIG. 1 in anoperable configuration, wherein the lift connector of FIG. 2 is in alowered position.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the front lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lift connector of FIG. 2 coupled toa mounting bracket of the front lifting mechanism of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the rear lifting mechanism of FIG. 1 in thestorage configuration.

FIG. 7 is a left rear perspective view of the rear lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 8 is a right rear perspective view of the rear lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 in an operable configuration.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the rear lifting mechanism of FIG. 1 in theoperable configuration.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the rear lifting mechanism ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 11 is a front view of a rear assembly of the rear lifting mechanismof FIG. 1 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a pair of shock mounts of the rearlifting mechanism of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a side view of the towing system of FIG. 1 mounted to thetowed vehicle of FIG. 1 , wherein each of the front lifting mechanismand rear lifting mechanism are in the operable configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is a towing system and associated methods, systems, devices,and various apparatus. Example aspects of the towing system can compriseone or both of a front lifting mechanism and a rear lifting mechanism.It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the towing systemis described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a towing system 100, in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure. As shown, in example aspects, thetowing system 100 can be mounted to a towed vehicle 110 and can beconfigured to allow for towing of the towed vehicle 110. For example, inthe present aspect, the towed vehicle 110 can be an ATV 111 (i.e.,all-terrain vehicle); however, in other aspects, the towed vehicle 110can be any other suitable vehicle or object that is capable of beingtowed by the towing system 100. For example and without limitation, thetowed vehicle 110 can alternatively be a car, truck, utility vehicle,SUV (sport utility vehicle), boat, mobile home, camper, motorcycle, golfcart, construction vehicle, military vehicle, or the like. Furthermore,in some aspects, the towing system 100 can be configured to tow objectsother than vehicles, such as, for example and without limitation,construction equipment, machine equipment, building structures, engines,or the like. As shown, the towed vehicle 110 can generally define afront end 112 and a rear end 114. The towed vehicle 110 can alsocomprise one or more vehicle wheels 115 configured to engage and rollalong a ground surface 190, as shown. In the present aspects, the towedvehicle 110 can comprise one or more front vehicle wheels 116 proximateto the front end 112 and one or more rear vehicle wheels 118 proximateto the rear end 114. In example aspects, the towed vehicle 110 and thetowing system 100 mounted thereto can together define a towed vehicleassembly 105.

According to example aspects, the towing system 100 can comprise one orboth of a front lifting mechanism 130 and a rear lifting mechanism 140.The front lifting mechanism 130 can be mounted generally at or near thefront end 112 of the towed vehicle 110, and the rear lifting mechanism140 can be mounted generally at or near the rear end 114 of the towedvehicle 110. The front lifting mechanism 130 can be attached to a drivenvehicle 1300 (shown in FIG. 13 ), which can be driven by a user to towthe towed vehicle 110. The front lifting mechanism 130 can be configuredto elevate the front end 112 of the towed vehicle 110 above the groundsurface 190 during towing, and similarly, the rear lifting mechanism 140can be configured to elevate the rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110above the ground surface 190 during towing. When the front and rear ends112,114 of the towed vehicle 110 are elevated, the corresponding frontand rear vehicle wheels 116,118 can be raised up, relative to theorientation shown, and disengaged from the ground surface 190, such thatthe vehicle wheels 115 do not roll along the ground surface 190 duringtowing, as described in further detail below.

Each of the front lifting mechanism 130 and rear lifting mechanism 140is illustrated in a storage configuration in FIG. 1 . The front and rearlifting mechanisms 130,140 can also each be selectively oriented in anoperable configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7 , respectively.In the storage configuration, the front and rear lifting mechanisms130,140 do not elevate the towed vehicle 110, and therefore, the vehiclewheels 115 of the towed vehicle 110 can engage and roll along the groundsurface 190. In example aspects, the front and/or rear liftingmechanisms 130,140 may be mounted to the towed vehicle 110 in thestorage configuration and then selectively reconfigured into theoperable configuration. In other aspects, the front and/or rear liftingmechanisms 130,140 may be mounted to the towed vehicle 110 in theoperable configuration. According to example aspects, any configurationof the front and rear lifting mechanisms 130,140 that is not theoperable configuration can be considered an inoperable configuration.Thus, the storage configuration can be an inoperable configuration. Inexample aspects, the towed vehicle assembly 105 can be oriented in apre-tow mode, as shown in the present FIG. 1 , and a towable mode, asshown in FIG. 13 . In the pre-tow mode, either or both of the front andrear lifting mechanisms 130,140 can be in the inoperable configuration,and in the towable mode, both of the front and rear lifting mechanisms130,140 can be in the operable configuration.

As shown, example aspects of the front lifting mechanism 130 cancomprise a mounting bracket 132, a lift connector 134, and a trailertongue 136. The mounting bracket 132 can be mounted to the front end 112of the towed vehicle 110 and the lift connector 134 can be movablycoupled to the mounting bracket 132. In the storage configuration shown,the trailer tongue 136 may be detached from the front lifting mechanism130 and can rest on a front frame rack 120 of the towed vehicle 110. Inother aspects, the trailer tongue 136 may be secured to the frontlifting mechanism 130 in the storage configuration. In the operableconfiguration of the front lifting mechanism 130, the trailer tongue 136can be attached to the lift connector 134, and can further be attachedto the driven vehicle 1300 to secure the towed vehicle 110 to the drivenvehicle 1300. In some aspects, the trailer tongue 136 and the liftconnector 134 can be separately formed, as shown, and in other aspects,the trailer tongue 136 and lift connector 134 can be monolithicallyformed as a singular component. Example aspects of the lift connector134 can be configured to move relative to the mounting bracket 132between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation. In the operableconfiguration, the lift connector 134 can be in the lowered orientationand the front end 112 of the towed vehicle 110 can be elevated above theground surface 190. When the front end 112 is elevated, the frontvehicle wheels 116 of the towed vehicle 110 can be elevated to disengagethe ground surface 190. The operable configuration of the front liftingmechanism 130 is described in further detail below with respect to FIG.3 .

Example aspects of the rear lifting mechanism 140 can comprise amounting hitch 142, a rear lift frame 144, and one or more rear towwheels 146. In some aspects, the rear lifting mechanism 140 can furthercomprise one or more shock absorbers 148, which can be load-adjustingshock absorbers 148 in the present aspect. In the storage configuration,the shock absorbers 148 may be detached from the rear lifting mechanism140, as shown, and can rest on a rear frame rack 122 of the towedvehicle 110. In other aspects, the shock absorbers 148 may be coupled tothe rear lifting mechanism 140 in the storage configuration. Themounting hitch 142 can be mounted to the rear end 114 of the towedvehicle 110, and the rear lift frame 144 can be secured to the mountinghitch 142. The rear tow wheels 146 can be directly or indirectlyrotatably mounted to the rear lift frame 144. In some aspects, such asthe present aspect, the rear tow wheels 146 can be directly mounted on arear axle 150, and the rear axle 150 can be secured to the rear liftframe 144. According to example aspects, the rear lift frame 144 can beconfigured to move relative to the mounting hitch 142 between a raisedorientation, as shown, and a lowered orientation, as shown in FIG. 7 .In the raised orientation, the rear lifting mechanism 140 can be securedin the storage configuration, and in the lowered orientation, the rearlifting mechanism 140 can be secured in the operable configuration. Inthe operable configuration, the rear tow wheels 146 of the rear liftingmechanism 140 can engage the ground surface 190, and the rear end 114 ofthe towed vehicle 110 can be elevated above the ground surface 190. Whenthe rear end 114 is elevated, the rear vehicle wheels 118 can beelevated to disengage the ground surface 190. The rear tow wheels 146 ofthe rear lifting mechanism 140 can be configured to roll across theground surface 190 during towing.

FIG. 2 illustrates the trailer tongue 136 secured to the lift connector134 and the lift connector 134 in the raised orientation. In thisconfiguration, the front lifting mechanism 130 can be attached to thedriven vehicle 1300 (shown in FIG. 13 ). For example, in the presentaspect, the trailer tongue 136 can be secured to a ball mount 205 of thedriven vehicle 1300. The driven vehicle 1300 may be capable of towingthe towed vehicle 110 with the lift connector 134 in the raisedorientation; however, the front vehicle wheels 116 of the towed vehicle110 remain engaged with the ground surface 190 in the raisedorientation, and thus, the front vehicle wheels 116 would roll along theground surface 190 if towed in this orientation. According to exampleaspects, the trailer tongue 136 can define a first tongue end 210coupled to the lift connector 134 and a second tongue end 212 distal tothe lift connector 134. As shown, the front lifting mechanism 130 cancomprise a trailer hitch 215 coupled to the trailer tongue 136 at thesecond tongue end 212 thereof. The trailer hitch 215 can be releasablysecured to the ball mount 205 of the driven vehicle 1300 to selectivelyattach and detach the towed vehicle 110 to and from the driven vehicle1300. The trailer hitch 215 can be secured to the second tongue end 212of the trailer tongue 136 by one or more fasteners. In the presentaspect, the fasteners can be a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 216.Additionally, example aspects of the mounting bracket 132 can comprise afirst flange 222 a extending from a first sidewall 220 a thereof and asecond flange 222 b (shown in FIG. 3 ) extending from a second sidewall220 b thereof. One or more fasteners can be configured to extend throughflange openings 422 (shown in FIG. 4 ) in each of the first and secondflanges 222 a,b to engage the towed vehicle 110 and secure the frontlifting mechanism 130 thereto. The fasteners can be any suitablefastener known in the art, including but not limited to U-boltassemblies 225, as shown. In the present aspect, the U-bolt assemblies225 can secure the mounting bracket 132 to a pair of horizontal framemembers 211 of the towed vehicle 110. In other aspects, the fastenerscan comprise traditional nut and bolt assemblies, screws, rivets,welding, or the like.

According to example aspects, the first tongue end 210 of the trailertongue 136 can be secured to the lift connector 134 by one or morefasteners, such as one or more hitch pins 240. For example, the hitchpins 240 can comprise a front hitch pin 240 a (shown in FIG. 3 ) and arear hitch pin 240 b. The front hitch pin 240 a can be configured toextend through corresponding front connector holes 250 and front tongueholes 450 formed in the lift connector 134 and trailer tongue 136,respectively. Similarly, the rear hitch pin 240 b can be configured toextend through corresponding and rear connector holes 555 and reartongue holes 455 formed in the lift connector 134 and trailer tongue136, respectively. The front and rear tongue holes 450,455 of thetrailer tongue 136 are shown in FIG. 4 , and the rear connector holes555 of the lift connector 134 are shown in FIG. 5 . Other aspects of thefasteners may not be the hitch pins 240, and can be any other suitablefastener known in the art. In example aspects, one of the hitch pins240, such as the rear hitch pin 240 b, can also be configured toselectively lock the lift connector 134 in the lowered orientation. Forexample, as shown, the mounting bracket 132 can generally define anupper bracket end 230 a lower bracket end 232. A first locking ear 234 acan extend from the first sidewall 220 a at or near the lower bracketend 232 of the mounting bracket 132, and a second locking ear 234 b canextend from the second sidewall 220 b at or near the lower bracket end232. Each of the first and second locking ears 234 a,b can define alocking hole 235 formed therethrough. When the lift connector 134 is inthe lowered orientation, as shown in FIG. 3 , the lift connector 134 canbe oriented between the first and second locking ears 234 a,b, and therear hitch pin 240 b can further extend through the locking holes 235 tosecure the lift connector 134 in the lowered orientation.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the front lifting mechanism 130 is shown in theoperable configuration. As shown, the front lifting mechanism 130 cancomprise a threaded rod 310 mounted within the mounting bracket 132. Forexample, the threaded rod 310 can be mounted within a bracket channel334 defined between the first and second sidewalls 220 a,b. In someaspects, such as the present aspect, the threaded rod 310 can berotatably mounted to the mounting bracket 132 by an upper bearing 320and a lower bearing 424 (shown in FIG. 4 ). Furthermore, an upper nut322 can be coupled to an upper rod end 312 of the threaded rod 310external to the bracket channel 334, and a lower nut 426 (shown in FIG.4 ) can be coupled to a lower rod end 414 (shown in FIG. 4 ) of thethreaded rod 310 external to the bracket channel 334. For example, insome aspects, each of the upper and lower nuts 322,426 can be welded tothe corresponding upper and lower rod ends 312,414 of the threaded rod310. In other aspects, the upper and lower nuts 322,426 can be fastenedto the threaded rod 310 by any other suitable fastener known in the art.

As shown, the lift connector 134 can extend into the bracket channel 334and can define a threaded bore 336 therethrough. The threaded rod 310can extend through the threaded bore 336 of the lift connector 134, andthe threading of the threaded rod 310 can mate with the threading of thethreaded bore 336. According to example aspects, the upper nut 322(and/or the lower nut 426) can be rotated to rotate the threaded rod 310relative to the mounting bracket 132. As the threaded rod 310 rotates,the lift connector 134 threadably mounted on the threaded rod 310 canmove between the raised and lowered orientations within the bracketchannel 334 depending upon the direction that the threaded rod 310 isturned. In example aspects, when the lift connector 134 moves from theraised orientation to the lowered orientation, the trailer tongue 136and the lift connector 134 can remain static relative to the drivenvehicle 1300 (shown in FIG. 13 ). As such, the threaded rod 310 can moveupward through the threaded bore 336 of the lift connector 134, relativeto the orientation shown, as the lift connector 134 remains stationary.Because the threaded rod 310 is affixed to the mounting bracket 132 bythe upper and lower bearings 320,424, the upward movement of thethreaded rod 310 can in turn elevate the mounting bracket 132. Asdescribed above, the mounting bracket 132 can be secured to the frontend 112 of the towed vehicle 110 by the U-bolt assemblies 225, and thus,as the mounting bracket 132 can be elevated relative to the groundsurface 190, the front end 112 of the towed vehicle 110 can be elevated.As shown, the front vehicle wheels 116 of the towed vehicle 110 candisengage the ground surface 190 as the front end 112 thereof iselevated. In other aspects, the front lifting mechanism 130 can compriseany other suitable lifting device known in the art for elevating thefront end 112 of the towed vehicle 110, including, but not limited to, ahydraulic jack, screw jack, pulley system, winch, trolley jack, scissorjack, bottle jack, joist, crane, mechanical jack, electric jack,pneumatic jack, or the like.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are the front and rear hitch pins 240 a,b.According to example aspects, the front and rear hitch pins 240 a,b canextend through the corresponding front and rear holes 250,555,450,455(shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 ) formed in the lift connector 134 and thetrailer tongue 136, respectively, to secure the trailer tongue 136 tothe lift connector 134 at the first tongue end 210 thereof. In exampleaspects, the rear hitch pin 240 b can further lock the lift connector134 in position relative to the mounting bracket 132 in the loweredorientation. As shown, in the lowered orientation, the lift connector134 can be oriented between the first and second locking ears 234 a,b,and the rear hitch pin 240 b can further extend through the lockingholes 235 (shown in FIG. 2 ) of the first and second locking ears 234a,b to selectively lock the lift connector 134 in the loweredorientation. To move the lift connector 134 back to the raisedorientation, the rear hitch pin 240 b can be removed from the frontlifting mechanism 130, detaching the lift connector 134 and the trailertongue 136 from the first and second locking ears 234 a,b. The upper nut322 can be rotated to raise the lift connector 134 to the raisedorientation, and the front hitch pin 240 a can ensure the trailer tongue136 remains secured to the lift connector 134 as the lift connector 134is raised. As the lift connector 134 moves from the lowered orientationback to the raised orientation, the front end 112 of the towed vehicle110 can be lowered towards the ground surface 190. The rear hitch pin240 b can be inserted back through the corresponding rear holes 455,555in the trailer tongue 136 and lift connector 134 after the rear holes455,555 have cleared the first and second locking ears 234 a,b or oncethe lift connector 134 reaches the raised orientation, whichever theuser desires.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially exploded view of the front liftingmechanism 130. As shown, the front lifting mechanism 130 can comprisethe mounting bracket 132, the lift connector 134, and the trailer tongue136. The trailer hitch 215 can be coupled to the trailer tongue 136 atthe second tongue end 212 by the nut and bolt assemblies 216. In someaspects, the trailer tongue 136 can comprise an outer tongue 436 and aninner tongue 438 partially received within the outer tongue 436 at thefirst tongue end 210. The inner tongue 438 can be secured to the outertongue 436 by one or more fasteners, such as a nut and bolt assembly440, or any other suitable fastener known in the art. As shown, in thepresent aspect, the front and rear holes 450,455 of the trailer tongue136 can be formed in the inner tongue 438. Other aspects of the trailertongue 136 may not comprise the inner tongue 438, and can comprise theouter tongue 436 only. In such an instance, the front and rear holes450,455 can be formed through the outer tongue 436. In the presentaspect, each of the inner tongue 438 and outer tongue 436 can comprise asubstantially rectangular cross-sectional shape; however, in otheraspects, the inner tongue 438 and/or outer tongue 436 can define anyother suitable cross-sectional shape, including, but not limited to,circular and triangular.

Referring to the mounting bracket 132, each of the first and secondflanges 222 a,b can extend from the corresponding first and secondsidewalls 220 a,b. Each of the first and second flanges 222 a,b candefine a plurality of the flange openings 422, and the U-bolt assemblies225 can be provided for extending through the corresponding flangeopenings 422 to secure the mounting bracket 132 to the towed vehicle 110(shown in FIG. 1 ). As shown, each of U-bolt assemblies 225 can comprisea U-bolt 405 defining opposing bolt ends 406, and a nut 408 threadablyattached to each of the opposing bolt ends 406. The bracket channel 334can be defined by the first and second sidewalls 220 a,b, and canfurther be defined by a rear wall 451, a top wall 452, and a bottom wall454, each of which can extend between the first and second sidewalls 220a,b. An open front end 456 of the mounting bracket 132 can allow accessto the bracket channel 334. As shown, the threaded rod 310 can extendfully through a length of the bracket channel 334, and can pass througha top wall hole 453 formed in the top wall 452 and a bottom wall hole(not shown) formed in the bottom wall 454. According to example aspects,the upper bearing 320 can be mounted to the top wall 452 external to thebracket channel 334, and the lower bearing 424 can be mounted to thebottom wall 454 external to the bracket channel 334. The threaded rod310 can be rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket 132 at the upperbracket end 230 by the upper bearing 320 and at the lower bracket end232 by the lower bearing 424. The upper nut 322 can be secured to thethreaded rod 310 at the upper rod end 312 thereof, such that the upperbearing 320 can be oriented between the top wall 452 and the upper nut322. Similarly, the lower nut 426 can be secured to the threaded rod 310at the lower rod end 414 thereof, such that the lower bearing 424 can beoriented between the bottom wall 454 and the lower nut 426, as shown.

In some aspects, a tool 460 may be provided for use in rotating theupper nut 322 (and/or lower nut 426), which in turn can rotate thethreaded rod 310 to move the lift connector 134 between the raised andlowered orientations, as described above. (The lift connector 134 isshown in the lowered orientation in the present aspect.) Example aspectsof the tool 460 can be a socket wrench 465, as shown, or any othersuitable tool known in the art. The socket wrench 465 can comprise asocket 466 configured to removably receive the upper nut 322 therein,and a handle 468 that can be manually gripped and turned in order torotate the socket wrench 465. The socket 466 can grip the upper nut 322as the socket wrench 465 is rotated, thus rotating the upper nut 322,and therefore rotating the threaded rod 310, along with the socketwrench 465.

As shown, the lift connector 134 can define a substantially rectangularcross-sectional shape in the present aspect. In other aspects, the liftconnector 134 can define any other suitable cross-sectional shape,including, but not limited to, circular and triangular. The liftconnector 134 can define a connector cavity 470, which can be sized andshaped to receive the inner tongue 438 of the trailer tongue 136therein. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the mounting bracket132 and lift connector 134, wherein the lift connector 134 is in theraised orientation. As shown, the lift connector 134 can define a cavityopening 572, which can allow access to the connector cavity 470. Theportion of the inner tongue 438 (shown in FIG. 4 ) extending from theouter tongue 436 (shown in FIG. 4 ) can be inserted through the cavityopening 572 into the connector cavity 470, and the front and rear holes450,455 (shown in FIG. 4 ) of the inner tongue 438 can be aligned withthe front and rear holes 250,555, respectively, of the lift connector134. The front and rear hitch pins 240 a,b (shown in FIG. 3 ) can beconfigured to extend through the front and rear holes 250,455,respectively, of the lift connector 134 and the front and rear holes450,455, respectively, of the inner tongue 438 to couple the trailertongue 136 (shown in FIG. 1 ) to the lift connector 134.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the rear lifting mechanism 140 in the storageconfiguration. As shown, the mounting hitch 142 can be coupled to therear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110. In some aspects, the mountinghitch 142 may already be provided on the towed vehicle 110, while inother aspects, the mounting hitch 142 can be provided as part of therear lifting mechanism 140. In the present aspect, the mounting hitch142 can define a hitch column 644, which can be oriented substantiallyupright, relative to the orientation shown (i.e., substantially verticalrelative to the ground surface 190). The hitch column 644 can define asubstantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and can define a hitchcavity 646 formed therethrough. A hitch axis 648 can extend through acenter of the hitch cavity 646. According to example, aspects, the rearlift frame 144 can be selectively coupled to the hitch column 644 of themounting hitch 142 in the storage configuration by one or morefasteners, such as one or more hitch pins 615. For example, the hitchpins 615 can comprise an upper hitch pin 615 a and a lower hitch pin 615b, which can be configured to extend through corresponding upper andlower holes 744 a,b formed in the rear lift frame 144 and correspondingholes 1044 formed in the hitch column 644. The holes 1044 of the hitchcolumn 644 are shown in FIG. 10 , and the upper and lower holes 744 a,bof the rear lift frame 144 are best shown in FIG. 7 . In exampleaspects, the rear lift frame 144 can generally define a Y-shape, asshown. The Y-shaped rear lift frame 144 can comprise a pair of parallelframe legs 660, which can be oriented on opposing sides of the hitchcolumn 644 and secured thereto by the hitch pins 615. The parallel framelegs 660 can be substantially parallel with the hitch axis 648, asshown. The rear lift frame 144 can further comprise a frame arm 662extending from a proximal end 661 of each of the frame legs 660. In thepresent aspect, the frame arms 662 can be oriented at an acute anglerelative to the hitch axis 648, and can extend substantially upward fromthe frame legs 660, relative to the orientation shown, in the storageconfiguration. In some aspects, a frame cross-member 664 can extendbetween the frame arms 662 to couple the frame arms 662 together.

According to example aspects, the rear axle 150 can be secured to theframe arms 662 of the rear lift frame 144 distal to the frame legs 660,as described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 7 . Asshown, the rear axle 150 can extend substantially perpendicular to thehitch axis 648 and can define a first axle end 652 and a second axle end654 opposite the first axle end 652. A first one of the rear tow wheels146 can be rotatably mounted to the rear axle 150 at the first axle end652, and a second one of the rear tow wheels 146 can be rotatablymounted to the rear axle 150 at the second axle end 654. In otheraspects, the rear tow wheels 146 can be directly mounted to the rearlift frame 144 and/or the rear axle 150 can be integral with the rearlift frame 144. In the storage configuration, as shown, the rear towwheels 146 can be elevated above the ground surface 190, and the rearvehicle wheels 118 of the towed vehicle 110 can engage the groundsurface 190. In example aspects, the rear axle 150 can be any suitabletype of axle known in the art, including but not limited to, a dropaxle, torsion, axle, or spring axle, or the rear lifting mechanism 140can comprise an axle-less trailer suspension, for example.

As shown, a winch 620 can be mounted to the rear axle 150. In thepresent aspect, the winch 620 can be oriented substantially centrally onthe rear axle 150 between the opposing rear tow wheels 146. Exampleaspects of the winch 620 can comprise a drum 622, a strap 624 (or acable, rope, or the like) wrapped around the drum 622, and a drivemechanism 720 (shown in FIG. 7 ) for driving rotation of the drum 622.In the present aspect, the drive mechanism 720 can be a hand crank 722(shown in FIG. 7 ), while in other aspects, the drive mechanism 720 canbe any other suitable drive mechanism known in the art, including, butnot limited to, a motor. The winch 620 can further comprise a fastener,such as a hook 725 (shown in FIG. 7 ) secured to the strap 624 andconfigured to be selectively attached to the mounting hitch 142.However, in the storage configuration, the hook 725 may not yet beattached to the mounting hitch 142. The winch 620 can be operated toelevate the rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110 above the groundsurface 190 and to orient the rear lifting mechanism 140 to the operableconfiguration, as described in further detail below. In other aspects,the rear lifting mechanism 140 can comprise any other suitable liftingdevice known in the art for elevating the rear end 114 of the towedvehicle 110, including, but not limited to, a hydraulic jack, screwjack, pulley system, trolley jack, scissor jack, bottle jack, joist,crane, mechanical jack, electric jack, pneumatic jack, or the like.

Example aspects of the rear lifting mechanism 140 can also comprise theshock absorbers 148, which, in the storage configuration, may bedetached from the rear lifting mechanism 140, as shown. For example, inthe present aspect, the shock absorbers 148 can rest on the rear framerack 122 of the towed vehicle 110 in the storage configuration, until itis desired to orient the rear lifting mechanism 140 in in the operableconfiguration. As shown, a pair of lower shock brackets 670 can mountedto the rear axle 150. Each of the lower shock brackets 670 can beoriented proximate to a corresponding one of the frame arms 662, asshown, though in other aspects, the lower shock brackets 670 can beoriented elsewhere along the rear axle 150. In the operableconfiguration, each of the shock absorbers 148 can be coupled to thetowed vehicle 110 and to a corresponding one of the lower shock brackets670, as described in further detail below.

FIG. 7 illustrates the rear lifting mechanism 140 as it is beingreconfigured from the storage configuration to the operableconfiguration. In example aspects, the upper and lower hitch pins 615a,b (lower hitch pin 615 b shown in FIG. 6 ) can be removed to detachthe rear lift frame 144 from the hitch column 644 of the mounting hitch142. The rear lift frame 144 can then be reoriented relative to themounting hitch 142, such that the rear tow wheels 146 can engage theground surface 190, as shown. A one of the upper and lower hitch pins615 a,b can then reattach the rear lift frame 144 to the hitch column644 with the rear tow wheels 146 contacting the ground surface 190. Assuch, the rear lift frame 144 can be oriented in the loweredorientation. In the present aspect, the upper hitch pin 615 a can engagethe lower holes 744 b formed in the frame legs 660 of the rear liftframe 144 and a corresponding one of the holes 1044 (shown in FIG. 10 )formed in the hitch column 644 to reattach the rear lift frame 144thereto. In example aspects, the rear lift frame 144 can be configuredto pivot about the upper hitch pin 615 a in the present configuration,as is described in further detail below. Furthermore, in some aspects,instead of removing both of the upper and lower hitch pins 615 a,b toreorient the rear lift frame 144, only one of the upper and lower hitchpins 615 a,b can be removed, and the rear lift frame 144 can pivot aboutthe remaining upper or lower hitch pins 615 a,b to the present loweredorientation. As shown, in the present orientation, the rear lift frame144 can be angled outward relative to the hitch column 644, away fromthe rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110.

According to example aspects, coupling brackets 700 can be provided forclamping each of the frame arms 662 of the rear lift frame 144 to therear axle 150. In the present aspect, the coupling brackets 700 can besubstantially L-shaped, defining an upper plate 702 and a rear plate1004 (shown in FIG. 10 ). Each of the lower shock brackets 670 (shown inFIG. 6 ) can be coupled to a corresponding one of the rear plates 1004.As shown, a distal end 762 of each of the frame arms 662 can be bent toextend along a portion of the rear axle 150. The bent distal end 762 ofeach frame arm 662 can be positioned between the rear axle 150 and theupper plate 702 of the corresponding coupling bracket 700. One or morefasteners can be provided for securing the coupling brackets 700 to therear axle 150, clamping the distal ends 762 of the frame arms 662therebetween and thereby securing the frame arms 662 to the rear axle150. In the present aspect, the fasteners can be U-bolt assemblies 705,which can be substantially similar to the U-bolt assemblies 225described above. The U-bolt 405 of each U-bolt assembly 705 can wraparound the rear axle 150 and extend through openings (not shown) formedin the upper plate 702. The corresponding nuts 408 can be threaded ontothe U-bolts 405 and tightened against the upper plate 702 to secure thedistal ends 762 of the frame arms 662 to the rear axle 150. In someaspects, the U-bolts 405 may also extend through openings (not shown)formed in the distal ends 762 to further improve the attachment of therear lift frame 144 to the rear axle 150. In other aspects, thefasteners can be any other suitable fastener known in the art, includingbut not limited to, traditional nut and bolt assemblies, screws, rivets,and the like.

As shown, the hook 725 of the winch 620 can be secured to an outer end724 of the strap 624. The hook 725 can be pulled toward the mountinghitch 142, which can rotate the drum 622 in a first direction to unravelthe strap 624 therefrom. The hook 725 can then be releasably secured tothe mounting hitch 142. According to example aspects, the mounting hitch142 can comprise a hitch connector 745, which can be secured to the rearend 114 of the towed vehicle 110 and can connect the hitch column 644thereto. The hitch connector 745 can be oriented about perpendicular tothe hitch column 644 in the present aspect. As shown, the hook 725 canbe releasably secured to the hitch connector 745. For example, in thepresent aspect, the mounting hitch 142 can comprise an eyebolt 746secured to the hitch connector 745, and the hook 725 can engage aneyebolt opening 748 of the eyebolt 746, as shown. In other aspects, thehook 725 can be releasably secured to the mounting hitch 142 in anyother suitable fashion. The hand crank 722 can also be provided forrotating the drum 622 in a reverse, second direction opposite the firstdirection. In the present aspect, the hand crank 722 can be a wrench 723configured to releasably engage the winch 620. In other aspects, thehand crank 722 may be permanently affixed to the winch 620. Because thehook 725 is secured to the mounting hitch 142, a sufficient force mustbe applied in order to rotate the drum 622 in the second direction andreel the strap 624 back in around the drum 622. In the present aspect,as the wrench 723 is cranked to actuate rotation of the drum 622 andreel the strap 624 in around the drum 622, the rear lift frame 144 canpivot about the upper hitch pin 615 a towards the rear end 114 of thetowed vehicle 110. As such, the rear axle 150 to which the winch 620 ismounted can be drawn towards the rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110,and the rear tow wheels 146 can roll on the ground surface 190 towardsthe rear end 114. As the rear axle 150 and rear tow wheels 146 movetowards the rear end 114 of the vehicle, the rear lift frame 144 canmove to a more upright orientation, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , and thusthe frame legs 660 can be raised relative to the ground surface 190. Themounting hitch 142 attached to the frame legs 660 by the upper hitch pin615 a can be raised along with the frame legs 660. As described above,the mounting hitch 142 can be secured to the rear end 114 of the towedvehicle 110, and thus, the rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110 can beraised along with the mounting hitch 142 and the rear vehicle wheels 118can be elevated above the ground surface 190, as shown and described infurther detail with respect to FIG. 8 .

The lower shock brackets 670 (shown in FIG. 6 ) can be attached to thecoupling brackets 700 on the rear axle 150, and corresponding uppershock mounts 770 can be attached to the towed vehicle 110 at the rearend 114 thereof. One or more fasteners (not shown) can be provided forsecuring the upper shock mounts 770 to the towed vehicle 110. Thefasteners can include, for example, bolts, screws, rivets, welding, andthe like. As shown, each of the shock absorbers 148 can be secured at anupper end 750 thereof to a corresponding one of the upper shock mounts770 by another fastener, such as a lynch pin 772, as shown, or any othersuitable fastener known in the art. Each of the shock absorbers 148 canalso be secured at a lower end 850 (shown in FIG. 8 ) thereof to thelower shock brackets 670, as described in further detail below withrespect to FIG. 10 . In the present configuration, the shock absorbers148 have been attached to the upper shock mounts 770 with the lynch pins772, but have not yet been attached to the lower shock brackets 670.According to the present aspect, each of the shock absorbers 148 cancomprise a piston assembly 752 and a spring 754; however, other aspectsof the shock absorbers 148 can define any other suitable configurationknown in the art. The shock absorbers 148 can be configured to absorbthe impact of the bumps as the towed vehicle 110 is towed across theground surface 190, reducing jarring of the towed vehicle 110.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the rear lifting mechanism 140 in the operableconfiguration, wherein the rear vehicle wheels 118 of the towed vehicle110 can be elevated above the ground surface 190. The lower end 850 ofeach of the shock absorbers 148 can be secured to the correspondinglower shock bracket 670 (shown in FIG. 10 ) by a fastener, such as, forexample, shock hitch pins 950 (shown in FIG. 9 ). Furthermore, as shown,the rear lift frame 144 can be drawn towards the rear end 114 of thetowed vehicle 110 by the winch 620 until the rear lift frame 144 isoriented substantially upright relative to the ground surface 190. Inthe upright orientation, the frame legs 660 of the rear lift frame 144can be oriented substantially parallel with the hitch column 644 on theopposing sides thereof. With the upper hitch pin 615 a already pivotablycoupling the rear lift frame 144 to the hitch column 644, the lowerhitch pin 615 b can be inserted through the upper holes 744 a (shown inFIG. 7 ) formed in the frame legs 660 and a corresponding one of theholes 1044 (shown in FIG. 10 ) in the hitch column 644, to prohibitpivotable movement of the rear lift frame 144 relative to the hitchcolumn 644 and to secure the rear lift frame 144 in the uprightorientation. With movement of the rear lift frame 144 prohibitedrelative to the mounting hitch 142, the rear vehicle wheels 118 canremain elevated above the ground surface 190, and the rear tow wheels146 can roll on the ground surface 190 as the towed vehicle 110 istowed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partially exploded view of the rear liftingmechanism 140. As shown, the mounting hitch 142 can generally define anL-shape and can comprise the hitch column 644 and the hitch connector745 oriented substantially perpendicular to the hitch column 644. Insome aspects, a reinforcement member 1046 can extend between the hitchcolumn 644 and the hitch connector 745. A plurality of the holes 1044can be formed through the hitch column 644, which can be selectivelyengaged by the upper and lower hitch pins 615 a,b to attach the rearlift frame 144 to the mounting hitch 142. In some aspects, the hitchcolumn 644 may define only an upper one of the holes 1044 and a lowerone of the holes 1044, which can correspond to the upper and lower hitchpins 615 a,b, respectively. However, in other aspects, the hitch column644 can define additional holes 1044, as shown. Moreover, the eyebolt746 can be secured to the hitch connector 745 of the mounting hitch 142,and can define the eyebolt opening 748 therethrough, which can beconfigured to releasably receive the hook 725 of the winch 620therethrough.

Referring to the rear lift frame 144, the frame legs 660 can be orientedsubstantially parallel with one another and can define a space 1062therebetween that can be configured to receive the hitch column 644. Theframe legs 660 can define the upper and lower holes 744 a,b (shown inFIG. 7 ) through which the upper and lower hitch pins 615 a,b canextend, respectively. Each of the frame arms 662 can extend from theproximal end 661 of the corresponding frame leg 660, and the bent distalend 762 (shown in FIG. 7 ) of each frame arm 662 can be secured to therear axle 150. As shown, each of the frame arms 662 can be oriented atan obtuse angle relative to the corresponding frame leg 660 in thepresent aspect. The coupling brackets 700 can be provided for couplingthe corresponding distal ends 762 of the frame arms 662 to the rear axle150, and the each of the lower shock brackets 670 can be attached to acorresponding one of the coupling brackets 700. A one of the shock hitchpins 950 can engage each of the lower shock brackets 670. In exampleaspects, each of the shock hitch pins 950 can be configured to extendthrough a first hole (not shown) formed in a first side of thecorresponding lower shock bracket 670, through a lower shock opening(not shown) formed through the lower end 850 of the corresponding shockabsorber 148, and through a second hole (not shown) formed in a secondside of the corresponding lower shock bracket 670 to secure the shockabsorber 148 to the lower shock bracket 670.

Each of the shock absorbers 148 can also define an upper shock opening(not shown) formed through the upper end 750 thereof, and acorresponding one of the lynch pins 772 can extend through the uppershock opening to secure the shock absorber 148 to the correspondingupper shock mount 770. The upper shock mounts 770 and lynch pins 772 areshown and described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 12 . Asshown, each of the shock absorbers 148 can comprise the piston assembly752 and the spring 754. Each corresponding piston assembly 752 and thespring 754 can generally extend between the upper and lower ends 750,850of the shock absorber 148. In some aspects, each of the shock absorbers148 can define an upper end housing 1050 formed at the upper end 750thereof and a lower end housing 1052 at the lower end 850 thereof. Theupper and lower shock openings can be defined through the upper andlower end housings 1050,1052, respectively.

The rear axle 150 can be secured to the frame arms 662 of the rear liftframe 144 by the coupling brackets 700 and the corresponding U-boltassemblies 705 (shown in FIG. 7 ). In the present aspect, the rear axle150 can be oriented about perpendicular to the frame legs 660 of therear lift frame 144. As shown, a first one of the rear tow wheels 146can be mounted to the rear axle 150 at the first axle end 652, and asecond one of the rear tow wheels 146 can be mounted to the rear axle150 at the second axle end 654 opposite the first rear tow wheel 146.Each of the rear tow wheels 146 can be rotatably mounted to the rearaxle 150, such that the rear tow wheels 146 can roll along the groundsurface 190 (shown in FIG. 1 ) as the towed vehicle 110 (shown in FIG. 1) is being towed. Example aspects of the rear tow wheels 146 may besufficiently sized for towing towed vehicles 110 of varying weights.According to example aspects, the winch 620 can be mounted to the rearaxle 150 about centrally between the opposing rear tow wheels 146. Thewinch 620 can comprise the strap 624 spooled around the drum 622, andthe drum 622 can rotate relative to the rear axle 150 to allow the strap624 to be reeled out from the drum 622 or reeled in around the drum 622.The hook 725 can be attached to the outer end 724 of the strap 624, andcan define a hook end 1026 configured to engage the eyebolt opening 748of the eyebolt 746 that is coupled to the mounting hitch 142. FIG. 11illustrates a detailed view of a rear assembly 1100 comprising the rearlift frame 144, rear axle 150, the rear tow wheels 146, and the winch620.

FIG. 12 illustrates the upper shock mounts 770 according to an exampleaspect of the present disclosure. As shown, each of the upper shockmounts 770 can generally define a first end 1272 and a second end 1274.One or more fastener holes 1276 can be formed through the upper shockmounts 770, and in the present aspect, the fastener holes 1276 can beformed proximate to the corresponding first ends 1272. A fastener (notshown) can be configured to extend through each of the fastener holes1276 and to engage the rear end 114 (shown in FIG. 1 ) of the towedvehicle 110 (shown in FIG. 1 ) to couple the corresponding upper shockmounts 770 to the towed vehicle 110. The fasteners can be, for example,bolts, screws, rivets, or any other suitable fastener known in the art.In other aspects, the upper shock mounts 770 can be welded to the towedvehicle 110, or can be attached thereto by any other suitable attachmentmethods known in the art. Each of the upper shock mounts 770 can furtherdefine a pin hole (not shown) formed therethrough, and in the presentaspect, each of the pin holes can be formed proximate to the second end1274 of the corresponding upper shock mount 770. In other aspects, thefastener holes 1276 and/or pin holes can be oriented at any othersuitable location on the upper shock mounts 770. Each of the lynch pins772 can be configured to extend through the upper shock opening of thecorresponding shock absorber 148 (shown in FIG. 10 ) and through the pinhole of the corresponding upper shock mount 770 to couple the shockabsorber 148 to the upper shock mount 770. Moreover, in some aspects, asshown, one or more first nuts 1278 can be mounted on each of the lynchpins 772. For example, in some aspects, each lynch pin 772 may defineexternal threading 1280 configured to mate with a threaded bore 1279 ofa corresponding one of the first nuts 1278. In the present aspect, eachof the first nuts 1278 can abut a front surface 1260 of thecorresponding upper shock mount 770, as shown. A second nut (not shown)may be mounted on each of the lynch pins 772 and can abut a rear surface1262 of the corresponding upper shock mount 770, such that the uppershock mount 770 can be sandwiched between the corresponding first nut1278 and second nut, thereby securing the lynch pin 772 to the uppershock mount 770.

FIG. 13 illustrates the towed vehicle assembly 105 comprising the towingsystem 100 mounted to the towed vehicle 110. The towing system 100 cancomprise the front lifting mechanism 130 and the rear lifting mechanism140, each of which is shown in the operable configuration in the presentaspect. The front lifting mechanism 130 can be secured to the towedvehicle 110 at the front end 112 thereof, and the rear lifting mechanism140 can be secured to the towed vehicle 110 at the rear end 114 thereof.According to example aspects, the front lifting mechanism 130 can bealso be attached to the driven vehicle 1300 via the trailer hitch 215,which can be driven by a user to tow the towed vehicle 110 on the towingsystem 100. The driven vehicle 1300 can be any suitable type of vehiclecapable of pulling the weight of the towed vehicle assembly 105 andconnecting to the trailer hitch 215 on the trailer tongue 136. Forexample and without limitation, the driven vehicle 1300 can be a towtruck, a box truck, a flatbed truck, a van, a pickup truck, a utilityvehicle, an SUV, a car, a motorcycle, an ATV, or the like.

As shown, in the operable configuration of the front lifting mechanism130, the front lifting mechanism 130 can be configured to elevate thefront end 112 of the towed vehicle 110, including the front vehiclewheels 116, above the ground surface 190. Similarly, in the operableconfiguration of the rear lifting mechanism 140, the rear liftingmechanism 140 can be configured to elevate the rear end 114 of the towedvehicle 110, including the rear vehicle wheels 118, above the groundsurface 190. As such, with both the front and rear lifting mechanisms130,140 in the operable configurations, the entire towed vehicle 110 canbe supported by the towing system 100 above the ground surface 190. Thiscan eliminate any wear and tear on the towed vehicle 110 that can occurwhen a towed vehicle 110 is not fully supported above the ground surface190 (i.e., when some or all of the vehicle wheels 115 are engaged withthe ground surface 190 during towing.) Thus, with both of the front andrear lifting mechanisms 130,140 in the operable configuration, the towedvehicle assembly 105 can be in a towable mode, as shown, wherein thetowed vehicle 110 is capable of being towed by the driven vehicle 1300.

In some other aspects, it may be desired to elevate only the frontvehicle wheels 116 above the ground surface 190. In such an instance,only the front lifting mechanism 130 may be required for towing thetowed vehicle 110. In still other aspects, it may be desired to elevateonly rear vehicle wheels 118 above the ground surface 190. In such aninstance, the rear lifting mechanism 140 can be required for elevatingthe rear wheels, and the front lifting mechanism 130 may also berequired for coupling the towed vehicle 110 to the driven vehicle 1300.However, it may not be necessary to orient the front lifting mechanism130 in the operable configuration. That is to say, the lift connector134 could remain in the raised position, and the front vehicle wheels116 could remain engaged with the ground surface 190. Alternatively, acoupling device other than the front lifting mechanism 130 could beprovided for coupling the towed vehicle 110 to the driven vehicle 1300.In still other aspects, any other suitable towing mechanism known in theart can be used interchangeably with either of the front and rearlifting mechanisms 130,140. That is to say, the front lifting mechanism130 of the present disclosure could be used with any other suitable rearlifting mechanism known in the art, and similarly, the rear liftingmechanism 140 of the present disclosure could be used with any othersuitable front lifting mechanism known in the art.

According to example aspects, a method of towing the towed vehicle 110can comprise providing the towed vehicle 110 to be towed, wherein thetowed vehicle 110 can comprise the front end 112, the rear end 114, andat least one of the vehicle wheels 115. The method can comprise securingthe front lifting mechanism 130 to the front end 112 of the towedvehicle 110 and to the driven vehicle 1300, and securing the rearlifting mechanism 140 to the rear end 114 of the towed vehicle 110,wherein the rear lifting mechanism 140 can comprise at least one of therear tow wheels 146. The method can further comprise configuring each ofthe front lifting mechanism 130 and rear lifting mechanism 140 in anoperable configuration to elevate the at least one vehicle wheel 115 ofthe towed vehicle 110 above the ground surface 190. The method canfurther comprise driving the driven vehicle 1300 to tow the towedvehicle 110 across the ground surface 190, wherein the rear tow wheel146 can roll along the ground surface 190 as the towed vehicle 110 istowed.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A towing system comprising: a front liftingmechanism comprising a mounting bracket, a trailer tongue, a threadedrod, and a lift connector coupling the trailer tongue to the mountingbracket, the lift connector movable relative to the mounting bracketbetween a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, the liftconnector defining a threaded bore, the trailer tongue configured toconnect a towed vehicle to a driven vehicle; and a rear liftingmechanism comprising a rear lift frame, a rear axle coupled to the rearlift frame, and a rear tow wheel rotatably coupled to the rear axle;wherein the front lifting mechanism is configurable in an operableconfiguration to elevate a front end of the towed vehicle, and whereinthe threaded rod is configured to rotate within the threaded bore in theoperable configuration to move the lift connector from the raisedorientation to the lowered orientation.
 2. The towing system of claim 1,wherein the rear lifting mechanism further comprises a winch mounted tothe rear axle, the winch comprising a drum and a strap spooled aroundthe drum.
 3. The towing system of claim 1, wherein the rear liftingmechanism further comprises a mounting hitch, the mounting hitchdefining a first hole therethrough, the rear lift frame defining asecond hole therethrough, a fastener extending through each of the firsthole and the second hole to couple the rear lift frame to the mountinghitch.
 4. The towing system of claim 1, wherein the rear lift framedefines at least one frame leg, a pair of frame arms extending from theat least one frame leg, each of the frame arms coupled to the rear axledistal to the at least one frame leg.
 5. The towing system of claim 1,wherein the rear lifting mechanism further comprises a shock absorberdefining an upper end and a lower end.
 6. The towing system of claim 5,wherein the rear lifting mechanism further comprises a lower shockbracket and an upper shock mount, the lower shock bracket coupling thelower end of the shock absorber to the rear axle, the upper shock mountconfigured to couple the upper end of the shock absorber to the towedvehicle.
 7. The towing system of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracketdefines a bracket channel, the threaded rod extending through thebracket channel and the threaded bore.
 8. The towing system of claim 7,wherein the front lifting mechanism further comprises a bearingrotatably coupling the threaded rod to the mounting bracket and a nutsecured to an end of the threaded rod.
 9. The towing system of claim 7,wherein the mounting bracket defines a first sidewall and a secondsidewall, a first flange extending from the first sidewall, a secondflange extending from the second sidewall, the first flange defining afirst flange opening, the second flange defining a second flangeopening, a first fastener configured to engage the first flange opening,and a second fastener configured to engage the second flange opening,the first and second fasteners configured to couple the front liftingmechanism to the towed vehicle.
 10. The towing system of claim 1,wherein the mounting bracket comprises a locking ear, the locking eardefining a locking hole, the lift connector defining a connector hole, afastener removably engaging each of the locking hole and the connectorhole to retain the lift connector in the lowered orientation.
 11. Atowed vehicle assembly comprising: a towed vehicle defining a front endand a rear end, the towed vehicle comprising a vehicle wheel; and atowing system comprising: a front lifting mechanism coupled to the frontend of the towed vehicle, wherein the front lifting mechanism elevatesthe front end relative to a ground surface in an operable configuration,the front lifting mechanism comprising a threaded rod and a liftconnector, the lift connector movable between a raised orientation and alowered orientation and defining a threaded bore; and a rear liftingmechanism coupled to the rear end of the towed vehicle, wherein the rearlifting mechanism elevates the rear end relative to the ground surfacein an operable configuration; wherein the towed vehicle assembly isconfigurable in a pre-tow mode, wherein the vehicle wheel engages theground surface, and a towable mode wherein each of the front liftingmechanism and rear lifting mechanism are in the operable configurationand the towing system elevates the vehicle wheel above the groundsurface; and wherein the threaded rod is configured to rotate within thethreaded bore in the operable configuration of the front liftingmechanism to move the lift connector from the raised orientation to thelowered orientation.
 12. The towed vehicle assembly of claim 11, whereinthe rear lifting mechanism comprises a rear tow wheel configured toengage the ground surface in the towable mode.
 13. The towed vehicleassembly of claim 12, wherein the rear lifting mechanism furthercomprising a mounting hitch coupled to the rear end of the towedvehicle, a rear lift frame coupled to the mounting hitch, and a rearaxle coupled to the rear lift frame, the rear tow wheel rotatablycoupled to the rear axle.
 14. The towed vehicle assembly of claim 11,wherein the front lifting mechanism comprises a mounting bracket mountedto the front end of the towed vehicle, the lift connector is movablerelative to the mounting bracket between the raised orientation and thelowered orientation, and the lift connector is in the loweredorientation in the towable mode.
 15. The towed vehicle assembly of claim14, further comprising a trailer tongue defining a first tongue end anda second tongue end, the trailer tongue coupled to the lift connector atthe first tongue end, a trailer hitch coupled to the trailer tongue atthe second tongue end, the trailer hitch configured to secure the frontlifting mechanism to a driven vehicle.
 16. The towed vehicle assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the mounting bracket defines a bracket channel, thethreaded rod extending through the bracket channel and the threadedbore.
 17. A method of towing a towed vehicle comprising: providing atowed vehicle to be towed, the towed vehicle comprising a front end, arear end, and a vehicle wheel; securing a front lifting mechanism to thefront end of the towed vehicle and to a driven vehicle; securing a rearlifting mechanism to the rear end of the towed vehicle, the rear liftingmechanism comprising a rear tow wheel; configuring each of the frontlifting mechanism and rear lifting mechanism in an operableconfiguration to elevate the vehicle wheel of the towed vehicle above aground surface; and driving the driven vehicle to tow the towed vehicleacross the ground surface, wherein the rear tow wheel rolls along theground surface as the towed vehicle is towed; wherein the front liftingmechanism comprises a mounting bracket coupled to the front end of thetowed vehicle, a trailer tongue coupled to the driven vehicle, and alift connector coupling the trailer tongue to the mounting bracket,wherein the lift connector is movable relative to the mounting bracketbetween a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, and whereinconfiguring each of the front lifting mechanism and rear liftingmechanism in an operable configuration comprises rotating a threaded rodwithin a threaded bore of the lift connector to move the lift connectorfrom the raised orientation to the lowered orientation.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the rear lifting mechanism comprises a mountinghitch coupled to the rear end of the towed vehicle, a rear lift framecoupled to the mounting hitch, and a rear axle coupled to the rear liftframe, the rear tow wheel rotatably coupled to the rear axle.